Page 1546 - Politics
3 kg beef can be traced but not 350 kg RDX, asks Haroon Yusuf
Delhi Congress working president Haroon Yusuf on Thursday created a controversy by alleging that three kg beef could be traced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi but not 350 kg RDX, referring to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad termed the statement "scandalous and irresponsible" "@narendramodi Ji can trace 3 kg of beef but cannot trace 350 kg of RDX #ModiFailsNationalSecurity(sic)," Yusuf alleged in a tweet. He later defended his tweet. "What I have said is reality. Can you deny it? Lynching was done for polarisation. You can catch 3 kg beef, kill innocents, but not 350 kg RDX. Isn't Modi informed by security agencies," Yusuf told PTI. Delhi BJP vice president Rajiv Babbar claimed Yusuf's remarks exposed the Congress's "double face". "They can not even wait for a few days and have started defaming security agencies. This exposes their double face. They claim solidarity with the government in ...
Tariq Anwar "blames" Modi government for Pulwama terror attack
Former Union minister Tariq Anwar on Thursday "squarely blamed" the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for the Pulwama terror attack, claiming that the CRPF jawans could have been saved had the request for airlifting them from Jammu been heeded. "It is Modis government which must be held accountable for the loss of precious lives of CRPF jawans as it paid no heed to the request for airlifting of the security personnel," Anwar - who left the NCP and returned to the Congress a few months ago - alleged. Talking to reporters in his Lok Sabha constituency here, he also claimed that Modis foreign policy "lacked direction" and questioned the Prime Ministers enthusiastic welcome to the Saudi Prince during the latters India visit earlier this week. "Had Modi forgotten that Prince Mohammed bin Salman had extended an assistance of 20 billion dollars to Pakistan which has been suspected of masterminding the Pulwama attack besides many other terrorist strikes in the past. What ..
BJP dubs Kejriwal king of U-turns, Cong raps Delhi CM
A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the Congress of not forging an alliance with his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Thursday attacked the AAP leader calling him a "king of U-turns".
Rahul meets delegation from Chhattisgarh, discusses farmers' issues
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday met a delegation of eminent people from Chhattisgarh here and discussed issues such as the problems faced by the farmers and the tribals in the state. A 11-member delegation, headed by AICC Chhattisgarh in-charge P L Punia, met Gandhi for an hour this morning, sources said. While confirming the meeting, Punia said the last time Rahul Gandhi visited Chhattisgarh, he had called for the meeting. "There was discussion on tribal issues, problems of farmers, recent debt waiver and some other issues," a leader in the know of the development said. Gandhi listened to their suggestions for the development of Chhattisgarh and assured them of action.
President repromulgates triple talaq ordinance
Ending all speculation, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday repromulgated the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance, commonly known as the triple talaq ordinance, for the third time.
Upset with Congress ministers, over two dozen MP legislators form 'club'
Over a dozen legislators, including from the Congress, are said to be upset with ministers of the Kamal Nath-led Madhya Pradesh government, and have come together to form a 'club,' sources said on Thursday.
Sarma launches 'Bharat Ke Mann ki Baat, Modi ke Sath' campaign
Assam Finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Thursday launched the BJP's campaign to seek suggestions from people across the country to help the party prepare its manifesto. Sarma launched the campaign named 'Bharat Ke Mann ki Baat, Modi ke Sath' campaign here. Through the campaign the BJP will try to reach out to one hundred million people all over India to seek their suggestions which will be reflected in the party's election manifesto, Sarma said talking to reporters in Dibrugarh. BJP will place drop boxes in 7,500 places where members from the public can drop their suggestions for perusal by the party and for consideration in the manifesto, Sarma said. He also said that BJP will take suggestions from subject matter experts and specialists in different fields through their various outreach programmes. The month-long programme started on February three will conclude on March three next, the minister added.
Indian government also responsible for Pulwama terror attack, says Sharad Yadav
Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) leader Sharad Yadav on Thursday alleged that the Government of India is also responsible for the terrorist attack on the convoy of CRPF personnel in Pulwama, citing the intelligence input of the possible attack.On the situation of Jammu and Kashmir after the Pulwama terrorist attack, Yadav said: "The problem is there with every government. There is a problem for Pakistan's side but the Government of India is also responsible for the attack since they had the intelligence input," he added. As many as 40 CRPF jawans killed in Kashmir's Pulwama district in a terrorist attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad.LJD supremo said, "We stand with the government and the country. I want to say that there should be peace where 72 per cent people voted. Why that peace was disturbed, the responsibility lies with the central government."On the tussle over the post of Chief Minister between BJP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Yadav said: "It is like
Farmers continue protest for 10th day outside Noida Authority office
Scores of farmers continued their protest here for a straight 10th day for compensation in lieu of their land acquired by the Noida Authority over the years. The farmers, including women, have been squatting right outside the authority's office in Sector 6 and had so far denied any talks with the officials "inside the office". On Thursday, a delegation of the protestors, under the banner of 'Kisan Astitva Bachao Andolan', convened by Sukhveer Singh, went for talks with authority and administration officials which failed to find a way ahead. "They are not ready to listen to any of our demands in the correct way. They are dilly-dallying, making vague statements like this is not our responsibility," he told protestors after the meeting. "They are harassing the farmers by delaying solution for our problems," Singh added. However, authority said the meeting ended on a "positive note" and added that along with the district administration it has been persuading the farmers since day one for .
Deadly car bombing near anti-IS base in east Syria: US-backed force
A car bomb Thursday killed oil workers and fighters from a US-backed force battling the Islamic State group in east Syria, the Kurdish-led alliance said, with a monitor putting the death toll at 20. A spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said the attack killed mostly oil workers, as well as fighters in the village of Shheel close to an oil field acting as a base for the anti-IS force. Jihadist "cells are trying to stop our progress," Adnan Afrin told AFP. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 14 oil workers and six conscripts died after "the car bomb was detonated remotely". The SDF fighters were escorting the workers in vehicles from the Omar oil field, the monitor said. The SDF are fighting to expel the jihadists from the last shred of their "caliphate" in the village of Baghouz, some 100 km (60 miles) south along the Euphrates river. The SDF took control of the Omar oil field in October 2017, and have turned it into their main base in the area. IS .
Kazakh president sacks government for economic failures
Kazakhstan's long-ruling President Nursultan Nazarbayev dismissed the government on Thursday, citing a lack of economic development despite the Central Asian nation's vast energy resources. "In many areas of the economy, despite the adoption of many laws and government decisions, positive changes have not been achieved," Nazarbayev said in a statement on the presidential website. While some ministers and deputy ministers are likely to be reinstated, the decision marks the end of Bakytzhan Sagintayev's premiership, which began in 2016. The 55-year-old was viewed by some analysts as part of a leadership transition in the country, which 78-year-old Nazarbayev has ruled over for close to three decades. An order on the presidential website said Sagintayev would be replaced temporarily by former deputy prime minister Askar Mamin, 53, ahead of the formation of a new cabinet. Nazarbayev's decision comes amid rising dissatisfaction in Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic whose ...
PM highlights India progress in Seoul
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India has seen rapid transformation over the last four years and is now seen as the brightest spot in the world. He is here to receive the Seoul Peace Prize on Friday.
Haryana govt minister Rao Narbir Singh's brother joins Congress
Former JD(U) Haryana unit chief Rao Kamalbir Singh, the brother of state minister Rao Narbir Singh, joined the Congress on Thursday with his supporters. He joined the party at the AICC headquarters here in the presence of Congress's Haryana incharge Ghulam Nabi Azad, chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, state party chief Ashok Tanwar, Legislative Party leader Kiran Chaudhary and MP Deepender Singh Hooda. Kamalbir Singh's brother Rao Narbir is a Cabinet minister in the BJP government of Haryana and an MLA from Badshahpur assembly seat near Gurgaon. Rao Kamalbir has been the president of Haryana unit of Janata Dal (United).
Surgical strikes hero Hooda to head Cong panel on national security vision
D S Hooda, a former Northern Army commander and main architect of the 2016 surgical strikes on terror launch pads in PoK, will head a Congress task force on national security. Party president Rahul Gandhi met Hooda and discussed the modalities of the panel. "The Congress president is setting up a 'task force on national security' to prepare a vision paper for the country," a party statement said. Hooda will lead the panel and prepare the paper in consultation with a select group of experts, it said. Hailing the step, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted, "Yet another positive and welcome step towards a strong nation and stronger national security by Congress President @RahulGandhi. The experience that Lt Gen (Retd) D S Hooda brings in, will benefit the nation in the long run." In another tweet, she said, "The only thing they will find is Surgical Strike and How's the josh?! :))" Reacting to the development, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference ..
Kejriwal king of U-turns, evident by AAP's entreaties to Cong for alliance: BJP
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari on Thursday termed AAP national convener and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the "king of U-turns", which, he said, was evident by the ruling party's "entreaties" to the Congress for an alliance for the upcoming general elections. Tiwari's sharp attack on Kejriwal and his party came after Delhi chief minister on Thursday reiterated that AAP leaders were tired of convincing the Congress to firm up an alliance with his party, but the intention of the grand old party does not seem to be good. "It is very shameful that the party which has 66 out of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly is entreating the Congress which has no seats in the House for an alliance. Arvind Kejriwal had come to change the politics of India but is now imploring the Congress for his selfish interest," the Delhi BJP chief said. He said the people have understood Arvind Kejriwal and will give a befitting reply to him and his party in the Lok Sabha polls. "Kejriwal is king of U-turns. Delhi ...
Former PDP MLC Syed Asgar, ex Revenue officer join NC in Jammu
Former PDP legislator Syed Asgar Ali and ex-revenue officer Qazi Mushtaq Ahmed joined the National Conference on Thursday in the presence of party president Farooq Abdullah. Welcoming the two into the party fold, Abdullah described the National Conference as a mass movement that has all along stood for the just cause of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and strived for development and progress of the state with a sense of commitment. Abdullah hoped that with the joining of Asgar and Mushtaq, the party will be further strengthened at the grass-roots level. "A strong National Conference is a key to steer Jammu and Kashmir to peace, progress and development besides meeting the challenges confronted to the state," he added. Asgar and Mushtaq pledged to carry forward the mission of the NC in transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a peaceful and progressive state with devotion and dedication.
TDP begins announcing candidates for Andhra Assembly polls
Taking a cue from Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, his Andhra Pradesh counterpart and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu has started announcing candidates for Assembly elections well in advance.
Ahead of polls, airlines 'requested' to give passengers letters by Prabhu on govt's achievements
Months before the nation goes to polls, the Civil Aviation Ministry has "requested" airlines flying on domestic routes to give their passengers a letter written by Suresh Prabhu that enlists various "achievements and initiatives" of the Narendra Modi government in the aviation sector. The airlines operating on the domestic routes have been sent a note along with the letter written by Prabhu, a copy of which has been accessed by PTI. "I am directed to forward herewith a letter from Honourable Minister of Civil Aviation (Suresh Prabhu) and to request you to forward it to all the passengers travelling in your airline," stated the note dated February 20, which was sent to all scheduled domestic passengers airlines. "Further, it is requested to inform the number of letters dispatched on daily basis to this Ministry," the note stated. The ministry's letter has been titled: "Key achievements and initiatives of Ministry of Civil Aviation." Prabhu's letter, which has his photograph, states: ...
Kashmiri students' efforts to join mainstream must be encouraged: Ghulam Nabi Azad
In the backdrop of Kashmiris being targeted in some parts of the country in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday appealed to state governments to ensure that students from the Valley are treated well and their efforts to join the mainstream encouraged. Several incidents were reported from various parts of the country in which Kashmiri people were targeted after the February 14 Pulwama terror strike which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Azad said as a representative of Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament and belonging to that state, he was saddened by reports that in Agra a hotel put up a board saying Kashmiris are not allowed to stay. "This used to happen during the British rule. But this has happened for the first time in Independent India," he said, adding, .
Pulwama terror attack: Time will come when people's sentiments will have fulfilment, says Rajnath
Amid outrage in the country over the Pulwama terror attack, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday said "time will come" when people's sentiments and expectations will have "fulfilment". Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of Delhi's Waste to Wonder Park, he said after the Pulwama incident "mood is still not that one can participate in any programme with enthusiasm". "But, I am very assured and I want to assure you that time will come when people's sentiments today, their desires, their expectations... those expectations will have fulfilment," Singh said. The Union minister, however, did not elaborate on his statement that comes amid mounting tension in the India-Pakistan ties. Forty CRPF jawans were killed in a terror strike by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, sparking outrage in the country, with many saying the attack should be avenged. After the incident, massive protests and candlelight marches were held in ...